Berners-Lee to advise on public data use

Sir Tim Berners-Lee, the man widely credited with inventing the world wide web, is to advise the UK government on public information delivery.

Sir Tim will head a panel of experts who will advise the Minister of the Cabinet Office on how the government can best use the internet to make non-personal public data as widely available as possible.

According to the Cabinet Office, Sir Tim will oversee work to create a single point of access for government held public data and develop proposals to extend access to data from the wider public sector, including selecting and implementing common standards.

He will also advise on how the government can better use the internet to improve its public consultation process.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown said in a statement: “So that Government information is accessible and useful for the widest possible group of people, I have asked Sir Tim Berners-Lee, who led the creation of the world wide web, to help us drive the opening up of access to Government data in the web over the coming months.”

Andrew Stott, director of digital engagement at the Cabinet Office, said: “I’m delighted to be working with Sir Tim Berners-Lee and his panel on this key part of the Power of Information Agenda; they will provide the expert challenge and insight we need to drive action across the public sector.”

The Power of Information taskforce, chaired by Richard Allen, was established last year. Its report set out 25 recommendations for the government on how to improve its use of the internet to empower citizens.